ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 58

search

Goethe-Institut delays Nakba event on Kristallnacht anniversary after criticism

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

After blistering criticism, Goethe-Institut Israel postpones it upcoming event, “Grasping the Pain of the Others – Panel discussion on the Holocaust, Nakba and German Remembrance Culture,” which was set to take place tomorrow on the 84th anniversary of Kristallnacht.

“The remembrance of the Shoah and the commemoration of the victims is a major concern of the Goethe-Institut, to which we devote ourselves in numerous projects,” says the institute in a German-language statement. “We regret that the choice of date for a panel discussion has currently caused irritation.”

The new date for the event in Tel Aviv is Sunday, November 13.

“The Goethe-Institut stands for understanding and dialogue,” the statement continues. “That is what the planned discussion is about.”

While delaying the event, the Goethe-Institut addressed only one component of the program for which it was panned. The Foreign Ministry and others blasted “the blatant cheapening of Holocaust and the cynical and manipulative attempt to create a linkage whose entire purpose is to defame Israel,” by discussing the Shoah and the Nakba — the Palestinians’ term for their defeat in 1948 during Israel’s War of independence — in the same breath.

Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.